Yvonne Aburrow's Blog, page 8
June 25, 2024
Journalists in Gaza
The story of Press House in Gaza —and some of the journalists who worked from it who were killed— is on the Guardian today: “‘An incredible loss for Palestine’: Israeli offensive takes deadly toll on journalists” (25 June 2024) By David Pegg, Hoda Osman and Manisha Ganguly. (The Guardian does not have a paywall.)
Press House was important because it did not belong to any of the various factions in Gaza.
It had a small exhibition of old Palestinian radios and 13 trees planted in the yard, i...
June 22, 2024
Changing Paths posts
Changing Paths challenge day 22: feast
I love to have a feast (shared food / Pagan potluck) in sacred space, so that we are feasting with the gods. However it’s got a bit impractical with the numbers of people involved and so we tend to have our feast after circle these days.
Changing Paths challenge day 21: solstice
The sun pauses on her journey
Around the horizon
Waiting for you to stop
To look around and see
The beauty of the world
C...
June 17, 2024
Letter to my Alma Mater
I have just emailed this to the university where I did my undergraduate degree.
Vice Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellor, and Pro Vice Chancellors,
As an alumna of the University of Lancaster, I am very disappointed to learn that the University has links with BAE Systems, which produces weapons such as the F-35 and F-15 fighter jets. Since 2016, 15% of every fighter jet sent to Israel has been produced in the UK by companies including BAE Systems. I understand that the University’s links we...
June 15, 2024
Roots and wings
Changing Paths challenge day 15: the sky.
The sky has a huge impact on my mood. If it’s blue with a few clouds, I’m happy. If it’s dramatic, I’m excited. If there’s a rainbow, I love it (especially the rainbow that appeared the day after Ireland voted for same sex marriage). If it’s grey and overcast, then I’m sad. If there’s a beautiful sunset, I’m awed. If I see the stars shining, I’m awed.
Changing Paths challenge day 14: my path.
I don’t really describe my ...
June 14, 2024
Chalice Well statues
I’m very sad to see that the “trustees” of the Chalice Well Gardens in Glastonbury have removed all the statues in the gardens. There’s a change.org petition to reinstate the statues.
The Chalice Well Facebook post about it states that: “Our ethos is Many Paths One Source, echoing the pathways through the garden to the wellhead. It is because everyone is welcome, whatever their spiritual belief, and the beauty of the garden is enough, that we no longer have statues that could be perceived...
June 12, 2024
Music, wonder, awe
Changing Paths challenge day 12: Songs.
Singing has always been a big part of my spirituality, and I love being in choirs. I dream of organizing a Pagan choir again one day.
Changing Paths challenge day 11: wonder and awe.
I experience wonder and awe in response to Nature, whether in the form of mountains, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, trees, or on a smaller scale such as the beauty of flowers or the complexity of a spider web.
June 10, 2024
Dreams, drama, fauna
Changing Paths challenge day 10: animals and birds.
I love animals and birds and Nature. It feels like such a privilege to see animals and birds in the wild. In our garden we have chipmunks and cardinals and robins and rabbits. We were once visited by a very floofy skunk. We have only seen one raccoon in the garden.
Changing Paths challenge 9: drama.
I took a photo of a rather dramatic sky the other day. Whenever I see clouds like this, it reminds me of the bit in ...
June 7, 2024
Change and reconnecting
Changing Paths challenge day 7: Change
Most people do not cope well with change, especially if it involves loss or destruction of their former way of life. It is hard for people with privilege to imagine losing more than one person in your family or friends group at a time: imagine losing all of them at once, and your home as well, your entire way of life, and the destruction of your environment. That’s what is happening in G a z a, but also to Sudan and the Congo, the eastern part of Ukraine...
June 4, 2024
Nature, peace, hope
Changing Paths challenge day 4: Nature.
Many years ago, when I was a child, I was told that the Israeli settlers had planted trees in the desert and made Israel greener. I was told this at an event organized by evangelical Christians. This shows the prevalence of Zionism among evangelical Christians. Continue reading →
Peace (3 June)Changing Paths challenge day 3. Peace.
Deep within the still centre of my being
May I find peace.
Silently within the quiet of the...
June 2, 2024
COVR Award win for Changing Paths
I got a silver medal in the COVR (Coalition of Visionary Resources) awards for Changing Paths 
Thanks to 1000Volt Press, Victoria Raschke, and keifel agostini for your expert and supportive publishing! And Keifel for the beautiful cover design
Thanks to everyone who contributed to the book: Èlia Viader, Jasmin, Calyx, Ambrose, and Nick
Thanks to all the beta readers and reviewers: Sue Woolley, Andrew Brown, Steve Dee, Dodie Graham Mackay, Enfys Book, Hana the Suburban Witch.
